Sealed container construction



Dec. 3, 1940. H. B. RUDD SEALED CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .'NR y B. Rudd Harr BY 05ml, M 9- M ATTORNEY Dec.

H. B. RUDD. 2.224,004

SEALED CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zfiigtfl.

26a Z8 Z9 Z6 m Z5d g' Z9 Z6 i I l I 71 32 Z5 -L M l l.\ I 350 if 3 i am Z0 12 350 g k H M Z) L H 35 INVENTOR garrylilzz ldd OhuwQMtiQd-R ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to containers particularly such as are utilizable in systems for liquefying and/or gasifying solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide or other phase-changeable material such, for example, as liquid oxygen.

My invention has further reference to novel container or casing constructions and particularly to novel arrangements for manipulating a closure member for and with respect to such a container or casing.

Various other advantages, objects and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

My invention resides in the containers, novel container sealing methods, features of construction and combinations of parts of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No. 444,464, filed April 15, 1930, now Letters Patent No. 2,020,329, granted November 12, 1935.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a container constructed in accordance with my invention and showing an associated device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of another form of container; v

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4a is an enlarged fragmentary view of the closure plate of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of still another form of my container;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of still another form of container;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the container shown in Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of another container.

In general, my invention relates to novel container constructions adapted to receive liquidand gas-forming solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide and so defined in a generic sense hereinafter. Particularly, in accordance with my invention, the gas liberated from solid or semi-solid material, as aforesaid, isutilized for applying pressure to a container closure plate whereby said container is sealed.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I represents a casing or container of any suitable size, shape or configuration. As herein illustrated although not 5 necessarily, the container I is of the character commercially utilized for the storage or transportation of carbon dioxide gaseous or liquid material.

As shown in Fig. 1, the container I per se is open at its top and the upper surface thereof carries a member 2, such as a ring which has an eccentric opening adapting it to be threaded or otherwise suitably secured to said container I.

Upstanding from the member 2 and threaded or otherwise suitably secured thereto is a supplementary casing or container 3, the top wall 4 of which has formed therein an opening 5 preferably circular and disposed, preferably, substantially in alinement with the opening in the casing I, said opening 5, therefore, being eccentric with respect to the aforesaid wall 4. i

As illustrated on the drawings, the aforesaid top wall 4 is a thickened converter section which merges into an adjacent thinner converter section defined, in the form of the invention shown, by the casing 3, these two converter sections being integral with each other in the sense that they are free from joints or seams. Further, as illustrated, the thickness of said thickened 30 converter section is greater than the thickness of the converter wall structure throughout the central area thereof.

The aforesaid opening 5 is adapted to be closed by a plate or member 6 disposed interiorly of 35 the supplementary casing 3 and coactable with the lower surface of the wall 4. The plate 6 may carry a handle '5 and, in suitable manner, it may suitably be prevented from dropping any great distance, as by the provision of a chain 8 or the like which is secured to said plate 6 and to an interior surface of the supplementary casing 3.

The upper surface of the plate 6 may coact with the plane lower surface of the top wall 4 but preferably, in accordance with my invention, the lower surface of said top wall 4 comprises a circumferentially complete depending flange or lip 4a which is adapted to extend into a groove or channel 6a formed in the upper surface of the plate 6 and similar in contour to that of the flange 4a. Ordinarily, it is desirable that a suitable gasket 9 be disposed at the bottom of the aforesaid channel Ba, Fig. 1.

With the cover 6 hanging in the supplementary casing 3 as indicated by the broken lines in Figs.

1 and 2, one or more blocks or masses I of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide may be passed through the opening 5 and then into the container I. The handle 1 may now be grasped and the plate 6 moved into the position shown by the full lines in Figs. I and 2, the flange 4a entering the channel 6a and seating against the gasket 9. By manual action, the plate 6 should thus be retained in closing position for a few moments or greater length of time.

It is well understood that carbon dioxide, when in solid or semi-solid form, is in unstable equilibrium and that carbon dioxide gas evolves therefrom. It results, therefore, upon disposal of the plate 6 in closing position as described above, that the gas evolved from the blocks I is entrapped and that the gas pressure within the combined container structure increases at a rapid rate. As a result and as will readily be understood, the plate 6 is positively held or retained, by gas pressure action, in closed position as shown in Fig. 1 and as the gas pressure within the combined containers increases to greater and greater extent, the plate 6 is firmly held in the position illustrated, the cover flange 4a in conjunction with the gasket 9 positively closing and sealing the interior of said combined container structure from the atmosphere.

As hereinbefore stated, the ring 2 may be threaded to the casing I, said ring 2, in turn,

.having a supplementary casing 3 threaded thereto. Where separate members are thus utilized, it is desirable that metallic layers I and II be welded or otherwise suitably formed over the respective areas directly bounding the threaded connections. As will readily be understood, a welded arrangement of the character Just described strengthens the joints and more effectually seals the combined container structure.

Due to the eccentric relation of the casing I with respect to the ring 2 and further due to the somewhat similar eccentric relation of the opening with respect to the top wall 4 of easing 3, it resultsthat there exists, in the supplementary casing 3, a space which is at one side of the direct passage into the casing I by way of the opening 5. An arrangement of this character is particularly desirable because enabling the plate 6 to hang or to be supported outside of the passage leading into the container I and, accordingly the diameter of the opening 5 or that of the casing I are the only factors limiting the size of the solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide blocks I which are to be introduced into said casing I.

Although the relation between the opening 5 and the plate 6 may be such, as explained in connection with the forms of my invention hereinafter to be described, that said plate 6 may be passed through the opening 5, it is desirable, under some circumstances, that the aforesaid relation be such as to render impossible the passage of said plate 6 through the opening 5. This condition is true with the form of my invention disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 because the opening 5 is circular and the plate 6, likewise, is circular and of greater diameter than said opening 5.

The liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide obtained in the container I as a result of change in phase of the blocks I may be utilized, for example, as described more particularly in my copending applications Serial No. 341,712, filed February 21, 1929, and Serial No. 373,134, flied June 24, 1929, these applications having matured into U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,855,313 and No. 1,785,326, respectively. As herein generally illustrated, a

valve structure I2 of a character well known to the art is interposed in a conduit I3 leading to a device D, the liquid carbon dioxide traversing the conduit I3 and passing to said device D where it is returned to the solid or semi-solid phase. The device D may be of any suitable character for accomplishing this purpose and, in the example illustrated, corresponds generally with the construction disclosed in my copending appllcation Serial No. 320,060, filed November 17, 1928, this application having matured into U. 8. Letters Patent No. 1,920,526. When constructed as disclosed in said last named application, the device D comprises a hinged cap I4 in part defining a chamber I5 wherein the aforesaid liquid carbon dioxide is expanded to form a mass of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide, passage of said liquid medium to said chamber I5 being controlled by a suitable valve, not shown, actuated by a member I6, and the mass of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide formed in said chamber I5 usually being much smaller than one of the aforesaid blocks I when disposed in the container I. After the mass of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide is formed in the chamber I5, a member I! may be actuated to release the cap I4 whereupon the latter may be swung on its pivot to open said chamber I5.

Ordinarily, the gaseous carbon dioxide formed in the combined container structure I and 3 is utilized. for carbonating purposes, said gaseous carbon dioxide passing, preferably, from the container 3 through a suitable valve structure I8 and then, by way of a suitable conduit I9 passing into the carbonating tank.

Ordinarily, with a system of the character described, it is desirable that the container I be provided with an additional valve structur 20 near the bottom thereof, said last named valvu. structure being manually operable to vent the container I after utilization of the material therein, such venting action reducing any existing pressure interiorly of the container sufliciently to permit the cover 6 to drop or to readily be moved to the position shown by the broken lines of Fig. 1.

For the sake of simplicity, cheapness of construction, and high operating efficiency, it is often desirable that there be utilized a container construction wherein the container closure plate is removable from the interior of the container when it becomes necessary to replenish the supply of solid or semi-solid-carbon dioxide. In order to clearly explain the phase of my invention, I have shown in Figs. 3-8 a number of suitable arrangements for practising the same.

Thus, in Figs. 3 and 4, I have shown a-tubular,

container or casing 25 having a top wall 28 in which there is formed an opening 26a of oval, elliptical or other similar configuration.

The opening 26a is adapted to be closed by a plate or member 21 preferably having a suitable handle 28 and, preferably, a chain or the like 29 of substantial length is connected to the top of said plate 21 and to the exterior of the container 25.

The plate 21 is oval, elliptical or otherwise in correspondence with the opening 26a of the container top wall 26, said plate 21, however, being somewhat larger than said opening 26a whereby, when properly positioned in container-closing position, an upper peripheral surface of said plate 21 contacts with the lower surface of the top wall 26 in complete encompassing or surrounding relation with respect to the opening 26a.

Preferably but not necessarily and as shown in Fig. 4a, the plate 21 is peripherally formed with a shelf section 21a projecting beyond a ver: tical surface 211), the section of the plate 21 defined by the vertical surface 21b freely entering the opening 261:. Before the plate 21 is placed in container-closing position, a suitable gasket 30 is disposed around the vertical plate surface 21b.

Aswith the form of my invention hereinbefore described, the closure plate 21 closes and seals the opening 26a due to the pressure exerted on said plate 21 by the gas evolved in said container 25 from the solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide. This relation of the parts is shown in Fig. 4.

'After exhaustion or the supply of carbon dioxide in the container 25 and after thepressure therein has become substantially of atmospheric value, the plate 21 either drops from the opening 26a and is supported by the chain 29, or it may be removed from said opening 26a and passed downwardly into the container in response to the application of manual pressure. When this pressure condition obtains interiorly of the container 2-5, the plate 21 while held in said container by the handle 28, or equivalent, may be brought to such position that the plate major axis is disposed at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, or somewhat more or less, with respect to the major axis of the opening 26a. This may be done by rotating the plate 21 through an angle of approximately ninety degrees, or somewhat more or less, from the position assumed thereby when in container closing position. Thereupon, the plate 21 may be removed from the interior of the container 25 by edgewise movement thereof through the opening 26a.

After a new supply of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide has been introduced into the container 25, the plate 21, preferably having a new gasket thereon, may be reintroduced into said container 25, by edgewise passage thereof through the opening 26a whereupon said plate 21 may be brought into container-closing position and so held until sufiicient gas has been evolved to hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 5 and 6, there is illustrated another form of my invention wherein a tubular container 25b is formed by a suitable drawing operation effected on a mass of metal.

In the example shown, the container is of seamless character, the top section thereof being formed by an upping operation, i. e., an operation wherein the circular wall of said top section is thickened, for example, as indicated by the full-line surface 250 and the broken-line surface 25d. Inasmuch as in the example shown, the container 25b is formed with an integral bottom wall, it necessarily follows that there is an opening at the top of the container upon completion of the drawing operation.

In accordance with the invention, this opening at the top of said container 25b is so shaped as to be of elliptic l form-as shown at 25c, Fig. 5, and, further, s me of the material forming the thickened "upped section is cut away to form an interior flange 25f likewise of elliptical configuration. As will readily be understood in view of the previous description relating to Figs. 3 and 4, an elliptical closure plate, when disposed interiorly of the container as shown in Fig. 6, is held in closing position against the flange 25f by pressure of the gas evolved from the solid carbon dioxide in said container.

Although the arrangement of Figs. 5 and 6 has been described in connection with an elliptical filling opening and an elliptical closure plate, it shall be understood that the invention is not to be thus limited. As well, these arrangements could be as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 or as otherwise known in the art.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated another form of my invention wherein the container top plate 26 is provided with an opening 26d substantially square in configuration, the corners thereof, however, preferably being rounded or curved as shown in Fig. 7. Coactable with the lower sur face of the container topwall 26 to close the opening 2611 is a plateor member 32 which likewise is substantially rectangular and otherwise of a configuration in correspondence with the aforesaid opening 26d. As will clearly appear from Fig. 7, the plate 32 may be positioned diagonally and then passed edgewise from the container 25. In corresponding position, it may be reinserted into said container 2 5 and then manipulated to bring it to container-closing position as shown in Fig. 8.

It will'be noted that a uniform construction is shown in Figs. 3-8 as regards the lower surface of the container top wall and the closure plate structure coactable therewith. It shall be understood, however, that my invention is not to be limited in this respect since this arrangement may be otherwise if desired. For example, it may be desirable to utilize the flange orlip construction of Fig. 1 with any or all of arrangements shown in Figs. 3-8.

As regards those forms of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3-8, a highly important feature resides in the fact that the side wall and top flange of each of the various casings or containers are seamless. It shall bedistinctly understood, however, that the closure arrangements of Figs. 3-8 are not to be limited to utilization with containers of the character just described.

An important feature of my invention resides in the arrangements shown herein and involving the container top walls 4 and 26. As will'be noted, the wall 4 is an integral part of the casing 3 and the wall 26 is an integral part of the container 25. It is in these top wallsthat the openings for the respective casings are formed and, therefore, in accordance with one important. phase of my invention, the respective closure plates coact directly with an integral part of the container or casing and not with a ringformed separately therefrom although, in some respects, my invention is adapted for use with arrangements as last described.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated one end of a container 35 which, the same as shown in Fig. 1, may be and preferably is a part of an ordinary carbon dioxide drum. That is, to form the container 35 of Fig. 9, either the converging neck section at one end of an ordinary drum or the transverse wall section at the other end of said drum is cut away to thereby produce a tubular container which is adapted to be closed or which is closed at one end, said container being open at its other circular end as shown in Fig. 9. Alternatively, the container 25 may belarger than an ordinary carbon dioxide drum. For example, it'may be of the character disclosed in Figs. 3, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 of my pending application Serial No. 612, 371, filed May 19, 1932.

In accordance with the invention, the circular end of the container 35 is provided with screw threads and a collar 35a is threaded thereto, said collar 35a comprising a section 352) seating instood,.however, that, if'desiredfthe collar "a may comprise the single section 35b. Further,

6 in a preferred form of the invention, a welded peripheral section 3511 is provided so as to positively secure the parts together and prevent high pressure leakage. The collar section 35b defines a filling opening for solid carbon dioxide, or equivalent, this filling opening being of elliptical configuration so that an elliptical closure plate, not shown, may be passed edgewise therethrough and seated against the flange 35c formed by said collar section 35b, said flange 35c being plane, even and smooth. In this position, the closure plate is held by pressure of the gas evolved from the solid carbon dioxide.

It shall be distinctly understood that the peripheral configuration of the aforesaid filling opening need not be elliptical. It may be square, rectangular or of other configuration as well known'in the art.

7 By general illustration on the drawings, I have indicated in Figs. 3-9 a carbon dioxide dispensing or utilizing system of the same character as described in connection with Fig. 1, the liquid carbon dioxide to pass to a suitable device D and the gaseous carbon dioxide to pass to a suitable carbonating tank, a venting arrangement also being indicated. The foregoing is an ordinary and preferred application of all forms of my invention although, as regards the novel features herein disclosed, my invention is not to be limited to any particular system .for utilizing the liquid and/or gaseous carbon dioxide.

With all forms of my invention herein described, the provision of a venting ,valve structure 20 is important. This is true because, ordinarily, the pressure interiorly of any of the liquefying containers remains slightly above atmospheric pressure after exhaustion of the supply of liquid carbon dioxide for the device D and the supply of carbon dioxide gas for the carbonating apparatus. However, when the valve structure 20' 45 is operated, the pressure within the associated container may quickly be brought to atmospheric value, or substantially so, so that the container closure plate either drops from the container opening or may readily be removed from such 50 opening. As regards all of the herein disclosed It shall be distinctly understood that the blocks or cakes of solid or semi-solid carbon dioxide to be inserted in any of the liquefying containers ing the invention, that various changes and mod-' ifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claim to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be se-i cured by Letters Patent is:

A converter for phase-changeable material, said converter, at one end thereof, having an inwardly extending thickened section which defines a filling opening through which blocks of solid carbon dioxide are passed into the interior thereof, said thickened converter section and the adiacent thinner converter section into which the thickened section merges being integral with each other in the sense that they are free from joints or seams, the thickness of said thickened conerter section being greater than the thickness oi the converter wall structure throughout the central area thereof, a closure plate adapted to be disposed in engagement with the lower surface of said inwardly extending thickened section to close said filling opening, the gas evolved from the solid carbon dioxide applying upward pressure on said closure plate to hold it in sealing .position against said lower surface, the wall structure of said converter comprising a thickened section having extending therethrough an opening which is threaded for the attachment of a conduit through which gaseous carbon dioxide is adapted to pass, said converter; at the other end thereof, having a section greater in thickness than" that of said converter wall structure throughout the central area thereof.

HARRY B. RUDD. 

